A final ride for former chief
Dennis Bolognese served 40 years with Upper Frederick Fire Company
UPPER FREDERICK >> There are few professions that bond individuals together like that of emergency services.
On Sunday, area fire and emergency services personnel will honor one of their own with a ceremony and procession celebrating the life of former Upper Frederick Fire Chief Dennis Bolognese.
Bolognese, who passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 72, served as fire chief of Upper Frederick Volunteer Fire Company for over 40 years, and he was also the Upper Frederick Township Fire Marshal.
“He has helped so many people and he didn’t even know it,” said Tami Tray, a firefighter with Upper Frederick Fire Company. “In our firehouse, to some he was a father figure, a grandfather, and friend. But to most of us, he was an unbelievable mentor. We will truly
miss his wisdom most of all. If you needed advice or had questions, you called Dennis.”
His tenure at the fire company left many who worked with him with fond memories, many of which included the chief’s unique sense of humor.
“He was also a jokester,” added Tray. “He always had a nickname for me, but most of the time it was ‘Tami Faye.’ I truly miss him everyday but will always cherish the memories and stories forever.”
For others, like Bill Moyer, chief of New Hanover Fire Company, one particular instance stands out.
“I remember that I always joked with him. We were out on a call one night. It was a really cold winter night and he had this Russian fur hat on instead of his fire helmet. I laughed at him and asked him where his helmet was and he just said he was cold. I went and bought one of those hats later,” laughed Moyer.
But it isn’t just his humor that stuck with his fellow firefighters. Many who worked with Bolognese recalled his deep commitment to the community.
“Dennis and I were both electrical contractors so we worked in our trade together and for the fire service. He was just a good guy, knowledgeable and always a pleasure to work with,” recalled Tom Gamon, chief of Lower Frederick Fire Company. “He gave a lot of service to the community. He was selfless. He would take the township like it was his own.”
According to his obituary, Bolognese was a 1964 graduate of Boyertown High School and did some undergraduate work at Ursinus College in Collegeville. He was an electrician for 53 years and owned his own business for over 40 of those years.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peg” M. Bolognese, his children, Jennifer, wife of Ron Andrews of Schwenksville and Jeffrey Bolognese and husband, Rob Bolognese of Macungie; and his sister, Theresa, wife of Mike Carter of Norfolk, VA.
“There were three things in his life — his family, his business and the fire company. The community has lost a well-committed individual with a lot of knowledge and Upper Frederick has some big shoes to fill,” said Moyer.
A celebration of life will be held from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10, at New Hanover Fire Company, 2154 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, PA 19525.
The celebration will be followed by a last ride beginning at New Hanover Township Fire House and heading to 663 and then turn on Route 73 and then to Upper Frederick Township.
According to Upper Frederick Fire Company, traffic on Route 73 at the township building will be reduced to one lane starting at 2 p.m. as the American Flag is hung from two ladders over the roadway.
The procession will continue all the way to the roundabout and then come up Route 29 to Deep Creek Road. It will continue to Perkiomenville Road and at that point Perkiomenville Road will be closed at Little Road and Deep Creek Road to allow the fire trucks enough room on the roadway.
Once trucks have reached Little Road, they will turn to take Bolognese by the firehouse one last time. From there the procession will continue to Township Line Road and head back to Route 73 and then back to New Hanover Fire Company.